Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

information on diet, nutrition, self-help & research

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory condition; it is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the joints and sometimes other parts of the body.

Symptoms

The most common symptom of RA is morning joint stiffness and pain that lasts for at least an hour. Several joints on both sides of the body are usually affected, especially those of the hands, wrists, knees, and feet. The joint may feel warm or swollen, and movement becomes easier after loosening up. People with RA may also have symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, weight loss, and, occasionally, fever.

There are a number of proactive steps one can take naturally to help reduce pain associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis.
See nutritional recommendations.
See self help and lifestyle recommendations.

Nutritional Supplements for Rheumatoid Arthritis

These are the most important supplements and recommendations.

Shopping Tips

Helpful: ArthoGenx 120 vcaps - ArthoGenx helps reduce inflammation due to arthritis.

Helpful: Bio-Inflammatory Formula (BIO32) - Bio-Inflammatory Formula

Helpful: Cranberry NS 500 mg 180 vcaps (CRA13) - Cranberries have been used for centuries by Native Americans as nutritional support for the urinary tract

Helpful: Carlsons Finest Fish Oil Omega 3 200 ml / 500ml option - Omega-3 200ml or 500ml per bottle - Natural Lemon Flavor This fish oil is very mild and pleasant tasting with a lemony flavor made from fish at the bottom of the food chain with lower risk of mercury, pesticide and other contaminents

Helpful: Ginger Root Organic Extract 2 oz (GING4) - Ginger Root Organic Extract

Causes

The cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown. Even though infectious agents such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi have long been suspected, none has been proven as the cause. The cause of rheumatoid arthritis is a very active area of worldwide research. Some scientists believe that the tendency to develop rheumatoid arthritis may be genetically inherited. It is suspected that certain infections or factors in the environment might trigger the immune system to attack the body's own tissues, resulting in inflammation in various organs of the body such as the lungs or eyes.

Regardless of the exact trigger, the result is an immune system that is geared up to promote inflammation in the joints and occasionally other tissues of the body. Immune cells, called lymphocytes, are activated and chemical messengers (cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor/TNF and interleukin-1/IL-1) are expressed in the inflamed areas.

Environmental factors also seem to play some role in the cause of rheumatoid arthritis. Scientists have reported that smoking tobacco increases the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis.

Conventional Treatment

Many drugs are commonly used for reducing the pain and slowing the progression of rheumatoid arthritis. These include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (e.g., indomethacin [Indocin®], nabumetone [Relafen®], naproxen sodium [Aleve®, Anaprox®], oxaprozin [Daypro®]), disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) (e.g., methotrexate [Rheumatrex®], hydroxychloroquine [Plaquenil®], sulfasalazine [Azulfidine®]), oral corticosteroids, chelating agents (e.g., penicillamine [Cuprimine®]), and immune suppressants (e.g., azathioprine [Imuran®], cyclophosphamide [Cytoxan®], cyclosporine [Neoral®, Sandimmune®]). Surgical procedures, including joint replacement, may be recommended for people with severe deformities or disabilities.

Note: misspellings: prednisoone

Self Help

Key nutritional supplements

Borage oil (Borago officinalis) (providing 1.4 g per day of GLA): Oils containing the omega-6 fatty acid gamma linolenic acid (GLA), such as borage oil, black currant seed oil, and evening primrose oil (EPO), have been reported to be effective in the treatment of RA. The most pronounced effects were seen with borage oil. GLA appears to be effective because it is converted in part to prostaglandin E1, a compound known to have anti-inflammatory activity.
Fish oil (3 grams per day of EPA and DHA; this amount is commonly found in 10 grams of fish oil): Many double-blind trials have shown that omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil, called EPA and DHA, help relieve symptoms of RA. This effect results from the anti-inflammatory activity of fish oil. Positive results can take three months to become evident. Flaxseed oil, a source of another form of omega-3 fatty acid, has not been found not to be effective for RA.
Vitamin E (600 IU two to three times daily): This is a high amount of vitamin E and should be taken with a doctor's supervision.

Other nutritional supplements that may be helpful

Cetyl myristoleate (CMO): 540 mg per day orally for 30 days.
DMSO (topical): DMSO should be used only with the supervision of a doctor.
Evening primrose oil (EPO)
New Zealand green-lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus): a lipid extract (210 mg per day) or a freeze-dried powder (1,150 mg per day) of green-lipped mussel.
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid): 1,000-2,000 mg per day.
Selenium: 200 mcg per day.

Other herbs that may be helpful

Boswellia (Boswellia serrata): 400-800 mg of gum resin extract in capsules or tablets three times per day.
Cayenne (Capsicum frutescens) (topical) (a cream containing 0.025-0.075% of capsaicin can be applied to the affected joints three to five times a day): A doctor should supervise this treatment.
Devil's claw (Harpagophytum procumbens): 800 mg of encapsulated extracts or 2-4 ml of tincture three times per day.
Turmeric (Curcuma longa): 400 mg of curcumin in capsules or tablets three times per day.

Lifestyle changes that may be helpful

Exercise: Although exercise may increase pain initially, gentle exercises help people with RA. Many doctors recommend swimming, stretching, or walking.

Dietary changes that may be helpful

Fats: There is evidence that people with RA eat more fat, particularly animal fat, than do those without RA. However, at least some dietary fat is essential for humans. Preliminary evidence suggests that consumption of olive oil, rich in oleic acid, may decrease the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis.
Eat vegetarian: Strict vegetarian diets that were very low in fat have been found to be helpful.
Fasting: Fasting has been shown to improve the symptoms and signs of RA, but most people relapsed after the reintroduction of an omnivorous diet. When fasting was followed by a 12-month vegetarian diet, the benefits of fasting appeared to persist.
Avoid food allergens: RA may be linked to food allergies and sensitivities. In many people, RA is made worse when they eat foods to which they are allergic or sensitive, and made better by avoiding these foods. English researchers suggest that one-third of people with RA can control the disease completely through allergy elimination. Finding and eliminating foods that trigger symptoms should be done with the help of a physician.

Studies

See research on rheumatoid arthritis